Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is under fire for comments he made about black people on a recording obtained by TMZ. (File photo by Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

But to hear him, uttering unthinkable words over and over again in an audio TMZ claims is Sterling’s voice, is the final gruesome act Sterling should be allowed to make.

The Clippers owner’s despicable history has played out in courts, and the NBA hasn’t done anything about it.

The time is now, and it’s fallen in the hands of new NBA commissioner Adam Silver. He can begin his legacy with a landmark move, suspending Donald Sterling, fining him and forcing him to sell the team.

Silver held a news conference in Memphis, Tenn., and will not make a determination on Sterling’s future until the NBA is done with its investigation.

“All members of the NBA family should be afforded due process and a fair opportunity to present their side of any controversy,” Silver said. “(This) is why I’m not prepared to discuss any possible sanctions against Donald Sterling. We will move extraordinarily quickly in our investigation. In the meantime, Mr. Sterling has agreed he will not attend his playoff game (today) in Golden State.”

Sterling is stubborn and surely won’t step down as the franchise’s longtime owner. TMZ Sports’ report late Friday and damning audio of repeated incendiary and racist comments was released and should seal his fate.

TMZ didn’t explain how it obtained the recording. This news organization hasn’t heard the tape nor verified its authenticity.

But in the audio, an argument with his girlfriend, V. Stiviano, allegedly started in part because of a photo she posted of herself with Magic Johnson on Instagram. Sterling said: “Don’t put him (Magic) on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.”

He goes on to say in the recording: “You can sleep with (them). You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that ... and not to bring them to my games.”

Advertisement

The Clippers released a statement and didn’t deny that it was Sterling’s voice but said: “... We do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered.”

It’s difficult to imagine Sterling sees the world through a dark, biased, hurtful view, but that’s apparently reality.

On Twitter, Magic Johnson said he and his wife, Cookie, would not go to another Clippers game as long as Sterling owns the team.

“I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African-Americans,” Johnson tweeted.

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, who is African-American, posted a photo that was all black on Instagram on Saturday morning.

Sterling’s hatred cannot be ignored or tolerated, and allowing him to be a mouthpiece for the NBA or Clippers would be equally disturbing.

Kobe Bryant weighed in on Twitter with this simple yet direct Tweet: “I couldn’t play for him.”

The firestorm created in social media shows players, fans and political figures will not accept Sterling’s deplorable ways.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement: “These statements are offensive and despicable and have no place in Los Angeles. I urge the NBA to act swiftly. L.A. fans deserve and demand better.”

The Clippers’ most loyal, dedicated and popular fan, known as “Clipper Darrell” told TMZ on Saturday: “To know that the man responsible for putting me on the team plane to attend a playoff game in 2006 didn’t like black people at his games is upsetting.”

Clipper Darrell has endured decades of losing by the franchise. Sterling has owned the team for 29 years and moved it from San Diego to Los Angeles.

And now it’s time he was removed.

If Sterling doesn’t want black players at his games, he would just have J.J. Redick and Hedo Turkoglu suiting up for him today in Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors. He would also have to bench his coach, Doc Rivers.

Oh, wait. He doesn’t mind someone with any color of skin helping him make money.

Repulsive.

Rivers’ son, Jeremiah, 26, tweeted about players continuing to play for themselves, the organization and fans.

“The clippers need the people, fans, and city of LA more then (sic) ever. The team deserves it,” Jeremiah said.

Snoop Dogg was not as diplomatic. He posted a video on Instagram as a message to Sterling. It’s laced with profanity, but his message his clear. “... you racist piece of &^%$.”

Wonderful to see athletes and celebrities standing up for what’s right. And now, it’s time for Silver to do the same.